Saturday, February 5, 2011

900 Hashimoto Masa governor county officials in the initial press conference on bird flu yesterday, as the initial structure in case of bird flu in the province, prefecture officials to mobilize 900 people, 10 million birds in a day about chickens revealed that the killing can be ordered.

After the list of 900 people in two days, which assumes that the advance disposal 24 hours a day divided into three groups of 300 each. Governor Hashimoto is "the last (2005 outbreak) is considering measures based on the experience," he said.

Source: WikipediaStar Online ReportNipah encephalitis claimed four more lives in Rangpur and Lalmonirhat Friday night and Saturday, raising the death toll from the disease to 24.

The deceased are Mansur Ali, 42, Swarna, 4, daughter of Jahangir, and Mahbub, 16, son of Nozir Ali of Dakshin Goddimari village in Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat and Insan Ali of Mirbag in Kaunia upazila of Rangpur.

Mansur was first taken to a local clinic, Modern Clinic, but was denied admission. Then he was rushed to Rangpur Medical College Hospital where he died at about 7:10pm.

Swarna died at Rangpur Medical College Hospital at 9:00pm Friday while Mahbub at 12:30pm Saturday, RMCH director Toufiqur Rahman confirmed it to The Daily Star.

Insan Ali breathed his last at his Mirbag residence at about 4:30am, said the local health officer.

Meanwhile, local administration has declared all the schools of Hatibandha upazila closed for six days from Saturday to control the spread of the disease.

Hospital sources said 24 encephalitis-infected people are now undergoing treatment at RMCH, Gangachara Upazila Health Complex of Rangpur and Hatibandha Upazila Health Complex of Lalmonirhat at present.

Condition of two patients admitted to RMCH is said to be critical, hospital sources said.

The government has confirmed the disease as Nipah encephalitis after a laboratory test, which mainly spread to the two districts.

The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), advised caution while drinking raw date juice as bats, which are natural hosts of the disease, usually drink date juice at night

Dhaka, Feb 5 (bdnews24.com) — Nipah has become a nightmare in border district Lalmonirhat of northern Bangladesh as experts grapple to arrest its spread.

Death toll of the fatal virus climed to 16 on Saturday from 14, although no new cases have been reported till evening.

People are still deserting their homes in panic while the local authorities shut down all primary schools at Hatiabandha upazila, which has witnessed the recent outbreak.

"Even ambulance drivers fled the village. We are trying to convince people aking them not to panic and stop drinking raw palm or date sap," said Dr Farhana Haque, an investigator of the government's team despatched to the upazila on February 2 soon after the outbreak.

The government sent more scientists to the affected area soon after the cause behind what was being called 'mystery fever' was ascertained by the Institute of Epidemiology and Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).

But people's long-standing practice and beliefs are making the task of this team rather difficult.

"We have to keep an eye on everybody who drank raw sap in the last one month," said the team leader Subodh Kumar Kundo.

The virus usually takes eight to 12 days between exposure and manifesting symptoms — fever, altered mental status and seizure.

But sometimes it can take unusual time, said Kundo, adding that those who handled corpses are also under observation.

Tracking the history of nipah virus in Bangladesh, bdnews24.com found that it is highly contagious and may be passed on with minimal human-to-human contact.

Deaths in Faridpur in January 2010 showed that the victims were infected because they were not careful while caring for patients.

A joint investigation of the epidemiology institute and the diarroehal disease centre (ICDDR,B) showed a man, who cared for his infected friend and shared the bed, was found to have become infected.

A wife also got the virus while caring, feeding, comforting, transporting her husband. An uncle of a deceased got the virus as he hugged the corpse.

A neighbour who washed a Nipah affected corpse, cleaned the frothy discharge and excreta also got the virus.

An intern doctor in Faridpur Medical College Hospital also died as he conducted physical examination of the two confirmed Nipah cases.

But such infection can be prevented by washing hands frequently, not sharing the same food and remaining at least three feet away from patients while caring for them.The caregivers should also wear masks as they treat the patients, experts say.

He said they would continue strong monitoring in Hatibandha even 21 days after the outbreak stops.

But he cautioned that 'over enthusiasm' can trigger further panic.

"School closure was not necessary as there is nothing related to school boys," said Rahman, adding that the virus had not begun spreading from person to person contact.

"Such a decision (school closure) can only generate panic among the people," he said urging local administration to take decision consulting with the government experts posted there.

Kundo said they are getting response from different organisations. Local NGOs, as well as development agencies joined hands in distributing leaflets with awareness messages.

He said as there is no specific treatment, medical attention could save patients that infuse negative impression among the people of the affected areas.

"We are disseminating general information and also trying to make them understand through different modes of communication."

"Our anthropologists are working to learn in-depth about their perception and beliefs. We are talking with community leaders, religious leaders, teachers, and families," he said.

Anthropologists say people generally believe that evil spirit has entered their community causing the illness.

They interpreted the illness as 'asmani bala' (divine burden). Some people of the community even have the perception that bats cannot contaminate raw date or palm sap. And do not believe it could be transmitted from person to person.

"We have to develop a rapport and earn their trust. We let them to talk first and give them space to express their emotions or complaints," said ICDDR,B anthropologist Shahana Parveen.

"With the respect of cultural norms and local practice, we make people understand what it actually is and what they should do."

"We held a courtyard meeting today to sensitise the idea that germs were responsible for the illness and deaths, using local terms and familiar examples," Farhana Haque said, adding that the participants responded positively after being given an explanation with evidence.

The first case of the recent outbreak was reported on January 31 with deaths from mystery fever.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Sajia AfrinThe Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research on Friday identified the disease that killed three more people in Lalmonirhat on the day as encephalitis, acute brain inflammation, caused by nipah virus. So far 20 people died of the disease in the place in four days, according to an unofficial figure.The IEDCR director, Mahmudur Rahman, said, ‘After a laboratory test, we have confirmed that the people were suffering from encephalitis caused by nipah virus.’The IEDCR, however, said 22 people were infected with the virus and 14 of them died till Friday.Death rate of nipah virus is very high, said Mahmudur Rahman adding that three in four such patients died from the infection.Reports from Hatibandha in the district said that more than 50 others, mostly children, contracted the disease, panicking people in the locality.The people who died on Friday were Bacchu Mia, 57, of Baraipara, Asadul Islam, 18, of Gendukuri and Joynal, 42, of Dakkhin Goddimari in the upazila.An eight-member IEDCR team was visiting the area. The team leader Subodh Kumar Kunda, principal scientific officer at the IEDCR, said that it is a contagious disease and has no specific treatment.The local people on Friday morning, meanwhile, organised a human chain in front of the upazila health complex demanding immediate identification of the disease and take steps against the disease.ASM Alamgir, senior scientific officer at the IEDCR, said there is no effective medicine or vaccine available to treat the patient infected by nipah virus. Creating awareness of the disease is main step which can prevent the disease.Symptoms appear with fever followed by altered mental status, seizure and death, IEDCR experts said. They suggested that people in affected areas with such symptoms should see doctors.The virus is highly infectious and has the potential to pass from person to person, they added.The IEDCR experts advised people in the areas where nipah infection was prevalent areas not to eat fruit bitten or half-bitten by fruit bats, or drink raw juices of palm and date trees. They also suggested that date juice should not be collected in open pitchers.According to experts, most of the nipah infection cases were reported between January and May. This is the breeding period of fruit bats and pregnant bats harbour the virus and possibly transmit it to humans.When children collect fruits and eat them without washing, the virus discharged from bat’s saliva is transmitted to them.Experts also urged the parents of the nipah-prone areas not to allow their children to play under fruit trees.Five people were infected with the virus in January and four of them died according to the IEDCR.One hundred and fifty-two cases of nipah infection were reported in the country after 2001 and 113 of them died, IEDCR officials said.

Fear of fresh round of bird flu grips Barisal, Kishoreganj

A few of the several hundred crows that met sudden death due to unknown diseases in and around Barisal city during the last two days, right, workers of Kishoreganj district livestock office culling bird flu infected hens at Bogadia village in Sadar upazila yesterday. Photo: STARStar National Desk

Barisal city and adjoining areas saw sudden death of a large number of crows in last two or three days while authorities destroyed at least seven thousand bird flu infected hens in Kishoreganj Sadar upazila yesterday.

Hundreds of crows that died at Girzamahalla, Medical College area, Sadar Road, Bells Park and Kirtonkhola riverbank areas in Barisal city during last two or three days are rotting in the open, reports our correspondent.

The crows were seen falling from trees and dying after a while, witnesses said.

Abdul Jabbar, Barisal district livestock officer, said their staffs are collecting samples for laboratory tests in Barisal and Dhaka to detect the disease that caused the massive deaths of crows.

“The crows may have died after eating some infected items,” said Dr Md Shawkat Ali, principal officer of Regional Livestock Disease Investigation Laboratory in Barisal.

“During the last few days, similar incidents have been reported from Patuakhali and Bhola towns. After laboratory test of the samples of dead crows sent from Patuakhali, no virus of avian influenza was found. The crows died due to eating of dead chickens infected with 'ranikhet' disease, not avian influenza,” he said.

Although he advised locals to bury the dead crows, the situation has raised a fear of fresh round of bird flu among them.

Livestock officials urged people to remain watchful of the situation and inform local livestock officials if unusual deaths of crows is seen anywhere.

FMD in South Korea (decayed to this), but in Southeast Asia due to the outbreak of bird flu highly pathogenic Branch Chubu Airport Animal Quarantine Station Ministry of Agriculture, the Chinese Lunar New Year (February 3) active movement of people in East Asia by January 31 - February 4, a, a publicity campaign conducted by the Central Japan International Airport.

Who leave the country, know that the livestock are restricted from bringing in affected countries, careful not to intrude on livestock farms. For people entering the golf shoes with dirt on the farm or if intrusive, hiking boots if you have asked to stop animal quarantine counter. Shoes are disinfected.

In addition, a thorough disinfection of soles sole disinfectant mats laid before the booth doing the usual quarantine.

The government on Friday [4 Feb 2011] confirmed the disease as Nipahvirus encephalitis that claimed at least 21 people over the last fewdays in Lalmonirhat and Rangpur. It means inflammation of brain andinfected rats [sic; bats] are the carrier of the disease, saiddoctors at the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research(IEDCR). They cautioned about drinking raw date juice and about bats,saying rats [sic; bats] usually drink date juice at night. "Thelaboratory test has confirmed the virus as Nipah," said Prof MahmudurRahman, director of the IEDCR.

Meanwhile, 4 more people, including a 14-year-old girl, died in anoutbreak of encephalitis in northern parts of the country Lalmonirhatand Rangpur Thursday night and Friday [3 and 4 Feb 2011], taking thedeath toll to 21, report our correspondents in Lalmonirhat and Rangpur.

2 more people -- ages 15 and 2, residents of South Kolkond village inGangachara upazila, Rangpur -- contracted the disease on Friday [4 Feb 2011].

The IEDCR director said the virus spreads through the saliva, urineand stools of the infected rats [sic; bats].

The latest deceased were identified as a person aged 56, of Baraiparavillage; a person age 42, of South Goddimari; and a 3rd person age18, of Gendukuri, village in Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat and a4th person age 14, of South Kolkan village under in Gangacharaupazila of Rangpur.

A 3-member medical team led by civil surgeon of Rangpur Rejaul Karimvisited the house of one victim in the morning.

The residents of Hatibandha and Gangachara upazilas have beenterrified with the outbreak of the virus and many of them left their houses.

--Communicated by:Health Map Alerts via ProMED-mail

[This is the annual Nipah virus transmission season. Unsurprisingly,the "unknown disease" has now been confirmed as due to Nipah virusinfections. Now there are cases of Nipah virus infection with deathsgoing on in 2 localities in Bangladesh. Clearly, a public educationcampaign is needed in villages to keep fruit bats away from palmjuice and discourage people (especially children) from eating fruiton which bats have been feeding.

Informed that some hens of the farm died of unknown diseases during
the last few days, Dr Bahadur Ali, veterinary surgeon of district
livestock office, visited the spot. After primary examination of some
collected samples, he detected those as affected by bird flu.

The report was sent to Dhaka central office from where a letter
confirming the case as bird flu came on Wednesday [2 Feb 2011] night.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

NEW DELHI: The virus causing the deadly Crimea Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in Ahmedabad has jumped from infected ticks to local cattle like sheep, goat and cows.

Cattle samples collected from six villages around ground zero -- Kolat village in Sanand whose resident Amina Momin was the first human in India to get infected with CCHF and die on January 3 -- have tested positive for high viral load.

Speaking to TOI, director of Pune's National Institute of Virology Dr A C Mishra said, "20% of the samples from six villages show positive CCHF infection. This means the virus has been circulating for some time in India and has just recently been detected."

Mishra added, "We are therefore setting up a diagnostic laboratory in Ahmedabad to test human samples for CCHF. At present, by the time the samples reach NIV, we lose a day. Three experts from Gujarat are being trained at NIV on safe handling of the human samples and how to interpret the results. Quick diagnosis is crucial with this virus. It kills most infected humans."

NIV has also picked up samples from rodents to check for the virus.

"We have to immediately cut transmission of the virus from ticks to cattle by intensifying operation pesticide, cleaning the cattle and their sheds. If even 50% of the ticks are destroyed from the body of the host, the transmission can be halted," Mishra added.

So does this mean the cattle infected have to be culled just like chicken were during the bird flu outbreak in India?

No, said Mishra. "Once the H5N1 virus infected poultry or birds, it killed them. That's how we knew where to look for the virus and killed all poultry around the site to stop transmission. In case of CCHF, the virus sits inside an animal's body but does not harm it. So we can't collect samples from all animals in Gujarat looking for the virus. Culling is, therefore, not recommended. We have to just break the cycle of the virus jumping from ticks to cattle," he added.

TOI had first reported how NIV last week found that a particular variety of ticks, Hyalomma, were carrying high quantities of CCHF virus in Ahmedabad, proving that the virus wasn't imported.

"Our main recommendation, therefore, is to reduce tick population which can circulate the virus in the environment for many years. They lay their eggs and transfer the virus into it. The egg hatches and continues to infect animals," Mishra added.

The CCHF virus is noted by the Union health ministry as a bio-safety level IV agent -- of maximum danger.

This is for the first time that India has reported human infection with CCHF by coming in direct contact with blood or other infected tissues from livestock. Human mortality rate is a high as 90%. The CCHF virus has been reported from Africa, the Balkans, West Asia and Pakistan.

"If the virus is present in the cattle, it could have spread from them as in villages, humans and cattle live in close proximity. Cutting meat infected with the virus or handling infected animal urine could lead to its spread to humans," Mishra added.

Kishoreganj, Feb 3 (bdnews24.com) – Some 8,000 chickens of a poultry farm, infected with the H5N1 virus, in Kishoreganj have been culled.

The culled chickens, from Mozammel Haque's poultry farm at Bagadia village of Sadar Upazila, were buried on Thursday noon under the supervision of the district livestock department.

District livestock officer A S M Naushad Hossain told bdnews24.com that they took the step to check the spread of the disease, which was a subtype of the Influenza A virus and could cause illness in humans and many other animals.

The bird flu infection was confirmed when the livestock department sent a sample of the tissue to the Central Diseases Investigation Laboratory in Dhaka on Wednesday after some of the chickens of the farm had died.

Later, the local administration took the initiative to have the chickens culled.

Hossain said the affected farm owner would be given financial assistance, as per the government policy.

The farm owner said the culling caused him a loss of around Tk 1.4 million. "However, the government has assured me of providing Tk 150 for each chicken, which will help me recover my losses a little bit."

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

The endemic status of the H5N1 avian influenza virus in Egypt is overwhelming the country's control efforts, and more global cooperation is needed to prevent more damage to Egypt's poultry industry and reduce the threat of a flu pandemic, two veterinarians with close knowledge of the country's disease situation reported today. They published their review in Epidemiology and Infection. Since the virus first emerged in Egypt in 2006, poultry outbreaks and human infections have become year-round occurrences, even in summer months. The article says several factors could be impacting the epidemiology of the disease, such as free access of dogs and wild birds to carcasses of culled H5N1-infected poultry. Human infections are becoming more common in children, but experts aren't sure why. Two main factors that could drive genetic changes in H5N1 viruses circulating in Egypt are (1) incomplete poultry vaccination strategies that don't include regular surveillance and (2) continuous and inter-species circulation of the virus. Oseltamivir-resistance changes seen in a 2007 family illness cluster and an amantadine-resistant marker isolated from chicken isolates remain rare, the authors noted. The government is working to phase out live poultry markets and is considering ending routine poultry vaccinations, but it is having a difficult time enforcing biosecurity standards, especially at unregistered small and medium-size commercial farms.Feb 1 Epidemiol Infect abstract

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

。 Poultry farms in Miyazaki, new problems found in chickens suspected of bird flu, test results, the bird flu virus has been detected. Miyazaki Prefecture has decided to dispose of about 190,000 chickens have been raised in this poultry farm.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011 8:02[JAMBI] regency government (Pemkab) Kerinci, Jambi Province set the alert status of bird flu (avian influenza), following a widespread outbreak of bird flu disease in the area. Outbreaks of bird flu in Kerinci until Tuesday (2 / 2) has spread to six villages. While the number of chickens that died of bird flu disease in the thousandstail.

Head of Animal Husbandry Department of Health Kerinci District, who was contacted in Sungaipenuh Ariyan, Kerinci, Wednesday (2 / 2) explains, it asked residents in the area of bird flu alert because of the spread of the disease quickly spread. In this week, an outbreak of bird flu has spread to six villages in the district Sitinjaulaut. Each Village Sebukar, red, Middle Pendung, Cape Mudo, Seleman and New Koto Hiang.

Described, based on the results of the monitoring officer Kerinci Animal Husbandry Department in the six villages, the number of chickens that died suddenly due to bird flu reaches the tail 4164. Chickens that died of bird flu in the village most Sebukar, which is about 2,000 birds. Then the chickens that died in the village of around 1101 Seleman tail.

According Ariyan, bird flu outbreaks in Kerinci quickly expanded because citizens do not know the symptoms and treatment. Most of the residents affected chicken bird flu in the region was thrown into a river.Should chickens affected by bird flu must be destroyed by burning or burying. In addition, residents also did not immediately report to the livestock department officials when they are a lot of dead chickenssudden.

"Even more worrying again, the people who have chickens are not willing when we asked for chicken they are exposed to bird flu destroyed. So to control the bird flu, we ask citizens alert and quick to report if the bird flu contagious to humans, "he said.

Described, most frequently attacked Kerinci Regency outbreak of bird flu since 2005. Every rainy season, in an area that always happens with bird flu. It happened because of lack of awareness masuh breeder chickens in Kerinci spraying and vaccination of poultry cages.

SAMARINDA. Danger spread of the H5N1 virus that carries the disease of bird flu, is now not only threaten the poultry farms. Especially chicken. But also citizens.A 5 year old girl, was rushed to hospital with suspicion AW Sjahranie deadly infectious disease, on Monday (31 / 1) at around 14:09 pm.The boy whose name was withheld, came Mugirejo Village, District of North Samarinda. Initially he was taken to a private hospital. Complaints of high fever accompanied by cough and swallow pain for about five days.Because of characteristics such as faced boy with bird flu patients, he was directed to work at AW Sjahranie the referral hospital transmitted infections continues that originated from these birds."Patient (boy 5 years old, Red) did have complaints of high fever above 38 degrees Celsius. It's been going on for several days. According to history, was previously no chickens died suddenly in the vicinity of the patient's home," said hospital spokesman Dr. AW Sjahranie Nurliana Adriati Noor or that it is familiarly called Nana dr.As a step of treatment, the hospital entered the boy into the isolation room. Special place for people with bird flu during a period of treatment and healing."In the isolation room, we do some action against the patient's treatment. Initially we attempt to treat the symptoms of an attack patients," added Dr Nana.In addition, to further ascertain whether the boy was positive bird flu or not, hospital officials also have taken samples of fluids in her body for examination."We really have to take fluid from the nose and throat and serum in the patient's body to be investigated. Later than the results of new research that could be ascertained, whether he is positive of bird flu or just people with respiratory disorders (ARD) normal," said Dr Nana.But the research body fluids of victims, not necessarily known. Because the fluid samples are sent to specialized laboratories in Jakarta. "If you can fast the results came back, the better. But in the meantime we continue to seek the best treatment for patients who are still in the isolation room," said Dr. Nana.As one of efforts to prevent and guard against the spread of bird flu, called upon the residents to pay attention to environmental hygiene. "When you find there are chickens died suddenly in the vicinity of the house, should immediately report to the Department of Animal Husbandry," he said.Then when there was a history of contact with chickens that died suddenly, and then a few days later attacked by some of the symptoms commonly attack the bird flu patients, to conduct the examination to the nearest health center. (Rin)

A wave of extremely cold weather this winter is a suspected factor behind the ongoing spread of avian flu in Japan, according to ornithologists.

Flocks of migratory birds infected with an avian flu virus may have arrived in parts of the nation after advancing farther south than in an average year, instead of wintering on the Korean Peninsula. Their arrival may have been an attempt to avoid a wave of cold weather in continental Asia that has intensified since the beginning of this year, experts said.

"The spread [of avian flu] may have become even greater as a result of these birds arriving in this nation after migrating through such highly virus-dense areas as Siberia, China and Mongolia," Hiroyoshi Higuchi, a professor of ornithology at the University of Tokyo, said.

The highly virulent H5N1 avian flu has spread nationwide. Cases of bird flu infection have been found in nine prefectures, including those that have come to light in four prefectures since early this year.

As a result, the Head of Estates Department of Agriculture Livestock Forestry and Fisheries (PPKPP) Prabumulih, RA Hanunah impose standby status which is a preventive for diseases caused by the H5N1 virus is not contagious to humans.

"In conditions like this, we continue to disseminate to the public, especially in endemic areas," he said.

In addition, it also asks the public for the maintenance of pet mengkandangkan for easy monitoring, not as long as it is released at will. However with the stable, to reduce the risk of transmission.

"Actions taken against endemic areas ranging from cleaning cages to the culling of poultry," he said while adding a chicken poultry, including geese and their chicks

eggs that allegedly attacked immediately destroyed.

Villages are attacked by the bird flu, among others, Village Prabumulih, Sukajadi, Wonosari, Cambai, Small Monument, Mount Ibul, and last Mangga Besar.

In Palembang after the death of dozens of chickens in the area of Kemang Sweet, District I West Ilir Palembang, related agencies do persuasive measures such as cleaning cages poultry within a radius of 1 kilometer.

While in the city of Palembang, about 25 chickens were found dead and declared bird flu positive. As stated by Head of Department of Agriculture and Forestry perikanann Sudirman Palembang Teguh, Tuesday (1 / 2).

"We've done a further step in a radius of 1 kilometer in the region," said Sudirman kala confirmed via telephone.

The same is done in some places, particularly centers such as the sale of poultry in the region of Palembang Palembang Bird Market. According to Sudirman, it also anticipate steps to tighten the spread of bird flu with the entry of poultry to Kilkenny by forming a task force.

"On the entry of poultry to Kilkenny we will bekerjasam with Pehubungan Office, the task force in some places more people are expected to report the incident proaktiv that exist," he said. (OL-12).

According to the Head of Public Relations Abdul Wahab Syachranie hospitals, patients in the name of AF included in the isolation treatment on Monday (1/31/2011) at 02.09 pm. Previous AF treated in general ward after suffering a fever accompanied by cough for 5 days.

"Patients also suffer pain when swallowing," explained Nurliana.

Not yet known for sure the medical history of AF before experiencing a fever. But the results of observation and interviews with families of patients in mind that in his neighborhood had previously been found cases of bird flu.

"History does not clear contacts. But about 1-2 miles from home no previous poultry and there is also a chicken that died suddenly," added Nurliana.

Medical acts committed against them are AF fluid sampling (swap), throat and nose. From the results of laboratory analysis will then be known whether AF was infected with H5N1.

"Swap sent to Research and Development Department of Health in Jakarta. This is the first patient treated by us in the last 2 years. The patient was last in 2008, the WNA Norway and positive bird flu," lid Nurliana.

Observations AFP reporter, AF treated at the Tulip Room Floor 2 and was accompanied by Agus Astiono (28), his father. Agus claimed lives in a housing in Mugirejo Village, Pinang River District.

"I do not keep chickens. But beyond housing many chicken farms. There is also that died suddenly," said Agus.

About 600 ducks died this month in Banteay Meanchey province from stress, not bird flu, provincial health officials said yesterday.

Huy Touch, director of Banteay Meanchey provincial department of animal health and production at the Ministry of Agriculture, said yesterday that a laboratory at Phnom Penh’s Calmette hospital had tested a sample of ducks that died inexplicably over the course of three days in Mongkol Borei and Sisophon districts.

“We got the results of the examination on Friday, which confirmed that the dead ducks had no H5N1,” Huy Touch said.

“The deaths were caused by stress because those ducks were sent from place to place while the weather was cool.”

Huy Touch said he initially suspected the ducks had died from a combination of cholera, changes in the weather and a lack of farm sanitation or use of vaccinations.

He added that his officers had told villagers in the province to be careful with their poultry and not to eat ducks that had been sick or died without explanation.

Ly Sovann, deputy director of the Department of Communicable Disease Control at the Ministry of Health, could not be reached for comment.

Ly Sovann told a reporter from The Post on January 14 that “so far there have been no [bird] flu cases found in Cambodia this year”.

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Friday asking him for details on the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)'s new interim rule to loosen restrictions on poultry imports from countries, like China, that have faced avian influenza in the past. DeLauro is concerned

DeLauro's office said the interim rule "represents a significant step towards importing poultry products from China into the United States," which has been essentially banned since 2004.

Initially the ban was put in place over avian flu fears, but an Agriculture Appropriations bill, authored by the congresswoman, has kept the ban in place by not allowing any funding for USDA to go forward on a rule to allow the poultry. The World Trade Organization ruled in September that the ban was illegal around the same time U.S. lawmakers had worked out a compromise on appropriations language that would allow USDA funds to promulgate or implement a rule allowing the imports of Chinese poultry, but only after meeting certain conditions.

In her letter to Vilsack, DeLauro said she's concerned APHIS' interim rule could be too lax.

"While APHIS claims that this rule would prevent H5N1 from being introduced in the U.S.," writes DeLauro. "I am concerned that this rule actually would ease APHIS prohibition on any poultry products coming in from countries that have had H5N1 outbreaks."

Instead of banning most poultry products from countries where Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 is considered present, the interim rule would allow for certain countries to export to the U.S. as long as the poultry is thoroughly cooked. (The rule calls for 165 degrees, processed in only eligible facilities.)

DeLauro asked Vilsack a number of questions. She wants to know what science the department is using to back up the new policy, how much staffing will be required to monitor poultry temperature at processing plants in China, and whether the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) might be better suited for the job.

A source at the Veterinary Hospital of Hilla, Babil province, Sunday, that the committee formed by the State Company for Veterinary revealed cases of bird flu, "H5N1", after conducting medical tests on poultry in local markets.

The source said in an interview for "Alsumaria News", "The results of tests, conducted by the hospital in Hilla, the vet showed that the samples submitted to it by the committee formed by the State Company for Veterinary and carried out on poultry in the market Ala Judge central city of Hilla, revealed the presence of one case of avian influenza H5N1 ".وأضاف المصدر، الذي طلب عدم الكشف عن اسمه، ان "اجتماعا سريا جرى، أمس السبت، في الشركة العامة للبيطرة ببغداد، تم خلاله بحث حلول للحد من انتشار المرض".

The source, who requested anonymity, said that "a secret meeting took place, on Saturday, at the General Company for Veterinary Baghdad, during which they discussed solutions to reduce the spread of disease."

A source in the Iraqi Ministry of Health revealed in 15, this month in an interview for "Alsumaria News", a case of bird flu "H5N1" in the capital, Baghdad, stressing at the same time, the emergence of positive results after a campaign carried out by teams of the Ministry of Agriculture technical limit the spread of epidemic.